Günter Henle

The diplomat, politician and industrial magnate Günter Henle (1899–1979) lit upon the right idea at the right time. On 20 October 1948 he founded his “publishing house for Urtext editions”. An accomplished pianist himself, he realized that there were scarcely any editions that accurately reproduced the composer’s musical text. Most editions were marred by unnecessary and often incorrect additions from later editors and arrangers. Moreover, the outward appearance of the edition often left a lot to be desired.

It was against this background that Günter Henle founded his publishing house in 1948 with the sole aim of finally reproducing the correct, that is, authentic text of great compositions. Whilst looking for a fitting term to differentiate his editions from all others, Günter Henle lit upon the word “Urtext” in isolated text-critical editions. It soon became apparent that Henle's idea of creating a modern Urtext edition was the right decision and one with far-reaching consequences. It changed the music publishing landscape forever. Today many publishers of “serious music” use the label “Urtext”. Admittedly, some also apply the term rather lightly as it is neither protected by copyright nor has its meaning been clearly laid down (for the term “Urtext” see here).

Together with a small team of specialists, Günter Henle devoted no less care to the outward appearance of his Urtext editions than to their musicological contents. Soon after founding the publishing house, the great artists of the time began to shower him with enthusiastic praise and recognition.

From the beginning, Günter Henle paid very close attention both to the visual appearance (music engraving, paper, printing, binding) of his musical editions and to the musicological-philological quality. The success of the company bearing his name has proven him right. We are committed to Günter Henle’s ideals every day.

Curriculum vitae

1899

Born on 3 February in WürzburgChildhood and youth in MunichPiano lessons with Walther Lampe

1916–1918

Participation in World War I

1918–1920

Law studies in Marburg and Würzburg, also gains doctorate

1921–1931

Attaché in the diplomatic corps, serving in Berlin, Amsterdam, The Hague and Buenos Aires; appearances as a pianist, including the premiere of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia op. 80 in Buenos Aires

1931–1936

Attaché at the German Embassy in London

1933

Marriage to Anne Liese Küpper, the stepdaughter of the owner of the Klöckner consortium in Duisburg

1937

Peter Klöckner takes on his son-in-law Günter Henle as a partner in the company

1940

Death of Peter Klöckner, Dr. Henle steadily rises to the top of the industrial firm

1947–1949

Member of the Frankfurt Wirtschaftsrat (Economic Council)

1948

Founds his “Publishing house for musical Urtext editions”Offices in Duisburg and Munich

1949–1953

Member (CDU) of the first German ParliamentAdvisor to the German Chancellor Adenauer on foreign policy and economics